(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) – Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke of The Smiths are scheduled to reunite onstage for the first time since the seminal rock band broke up in 1987.
NME reports that the pair will perform together at the Manchester Vs. Cancer benefit concert on January 28th at the MEN Arena. The gig was organized by Andy Rourke to raise funds for the city’s Christie Hospital.
Rourke and Marr will be joined by New Order, Badly Drawn Boy, The Doves, Mani and Stephen Fretwell, with more acts expected to be announced soon.
“Andy and I go back a long way, since our school days. We have been hanging out and seeing each other and he told me about this project,” said Marr. “I literally applauded him and said I wanted to get involved with it if he needed any help. It’s a privilege to be a part of it as I am aware of the work that Christie does.
“It’s not the easiest thing getting something like this together because it needs to be done on a fairly big scale to have any significance so I think Andy is really brave. But who would refuse his offer to get involved? I mean, who could refuse it? You can’t unless you are out of the country on tour. I made sure I was around and I’m looking forward to it – it will be a good night.”
He also joked around about the possible Smiths setlist: “It’s going to be interesting. We might even get a version of ‘Blue Monday’ on the kazoo.” –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
